The Experience

Participating in tournaments can be a roller coaster of emotions. The pressure to perform and the fear of failure can be overwhelming. It's easy to question why one puts themselves through such an ordeal. However, the lessons learned through competition are invaluable. These experiences foster resilience, discipline, and a deeper understanding of oneself.

Growth Mindset

Ultimately, the goal is growth. Each competition provides an opportunity to test one's skills, identify weaknesses, and push beyond perceived limitations. Whether the outcome is victory or defeat, the journey itself is a catalyst for personal development. Embracing challenges and striving for continuous improvement is what truly matters.

The Results

The hard work and dedication paid off with impressive results:

• 3 Gold Medals
• 1 Bronze Medal

These achievements are a testament to the commitment and perseverance demonstrated throughout the tournament.

In summary, the journey to the 8th World Kuo Shu Championship in Brazil was filled with challenges, learning experiences, and ultimately, significant growth. The dedication and hard work resulted in impressive achievements, highlighting the importance of striving for continuous improvement. Are you ready to embrace your own challenges and unlock your full potential?

Donut day.

Actually, it was better than donuts for him!

It was bacon!

I hope you enjoy this small blog with pictures of my dog.

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TWKSF Tournament

My friends and I had qualified for the world tournament as part of the U.S. team. I competed in two World events, Ba Gua Long Staff and Xing Yi Long Staff, taking gold in both. I also competed in the International tournament happening at the same time and took gold in women’s Yang Style Tai Ji Empty Hand event.

Beautiful Brazil

We decided to stay longer after the competition to explore São Paulo, Ilhabella, Santos, and Igauçu Falls. We only had about a week more, but we were able to do plenty in that time, including boat rides, whitewater rafting, zip lining, and exploring the cities and towns.

And yes, we did have churrasco! Though some of my favorite meals were much simpler in the beach towns and consisted of fresh fish and rice.

Wildlife

We saw wild monkeys, coati, and birds! While we did see some in the wild, including a toucan, to get close up, we went to a bird park. I know, cheating, but it was the best way to see them all.

They were incredible.

Brazil offered the perfect combination of competition and adventure. From the martial arts tournament to exploring the country’s natural beauty and activities, it was an unforgettable experience.

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One of the amazing things about traveling California is that you can get a little of everything: Ocean, desert, mountains, cities, and small towns. We traversed highways, back roads, canyon twisties, and off-road trails at a State Vehicular Recreation Area.

The Adventure

For this trip, I was on a KTM 390 ADV. My partner was on a Yamaha Tenere 700.

Part of the trip was enjoyed with friends, and sometimes, it was just the two of us.

Our week-long ride through California was an incredible experience — amazing scenery, the best of friends, and delicious food.

We’re already looking forward to the two-wheeled adventure!

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Safe riding makes every adventure better. I share more about motorcycle safety in my Dayton 24/7 interview.

This milestone fuels my passion for connecting people with the powersports industry through meaningful communication and safety education.

My Journey in Journalism

My journalism career spans over nearly two decades, starting as a copy editor at New York Newsday to seven years at The Baltimore Sun, then a decade at USA TODAY, where I was a night editor and Front Page editor.

This foundation in journalism provided the editorial expertise and deadline-driven mindset that became invaluable when I transitioned into powersports communications.

Over the years, I’ve applied these skills to expand national media outreach for powersports — motorcycles, ATVs, and side-by-sides — while shaping public-facing campaigns that elevate awareness on the importance of proper training and responsible riding and driving.

As a certified MSF RiderCoach, DirtBike School Coach, ATV Safety Institute Instructor, and ROHVA DriverCoach, I’ve introduced many media and influencers to the joy of powersports.

Stepping Into Leadership

In mid-2025, I took on a greater leadership role to ensure communications continuity across MIC, MSF, ROHVA, and SVIA.

This transition allows me to unite nearly a decade of experience in telling the story of motorcycling to millions while leading media and influencer rides to teach people to ride the right way.

As Christy LaCurelle, President and CEO of the MIC, MSF, ROHVA, and SVIA, noted:

“Andria brings clarity, strategy, and a rider-first perspective to everything she does. She’s been key in shaping our communication with the industry, members, and the public. Her insight and leadership are invaluable as we grow and evolve. For nearly a decade, she’s helped tell the story of motorcycling to millions, worked with journalists and influencers, and led media and influencer rides to promote safe riding. Her impact on the industry and our associations has been tremendous.”

Looking Forward

This promotion is an opportunity to advance my mission: helping people discover the joys of powersports through proper safety, education, and training.

I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and am excited to continue serving the powersports community through effective communication, education, and advocacy.

Read the full announcement here.

Thanks to Nick Gray, Patron View, and his team for helping me build this site.

With motorcycles becoming increasingly popular and warmer weather bringing more riders to the road, it’s essential that both motorcyclists and drivers understand how to keep everyone safe.

In this article, I’ll share the key insights from my television appearance, covering why motorcycling has become so popular, essential safety tips for car drivers to watch for motorcyclists, the critical protective gear every rider needs, the importance of proper training, and exciting new safety technologies that are helping keep riders safer than ever before.

Interview

Watch my complete interview on Dayton 24/7 Now where I discussed essential motorcycle safety tips for both riders and drivers.

In this segment with Alex King, we covered everything from proper safety gear to the latest technologies keeping motorcyclists safer on the road.

Growing Popularity

Motorcycles are such a great way to get around.

They’re small, they’re fuel-efficient, they’re a lot of fun, and they offer this sense of freedom. So people really love enjoying riding.

This combination of practical and emotional benefits is driving more people to motorcycling than ever before.

That sense of freedom you get on a motorcycle is unlike anything else. There’s an immediate connection to your surroundings, the open air, and the road that you simply can’t get in a car. It’s this emotional connection that transforms a simple commute into an enjoyable experience, making people fall in love with riding.

Whether it’s the weekend warrior looking for adventure or the daily commuter seeking a more engaging way to travel, motorcycles offer something for everyone.

Driver Tips

A lot of car drivers don’t realize how quickly a motorcyclist can disappear in their blind spot. So while a lot of cars do have blind spot detectors, you can’t rely on them because they don’t always pick up a motorcyclist. We just have a much smaller profile.

Key safety practices:

• Double-check your blind spots, look twice, check your mirrors, and actually turn your head and look before you merge or turn.
• Don’t drive distracted – put those phones down.
• Remember that while driving at 65 miles per hour, you can cover over 100 ft in one second.
• That four to five seconds it takes to send a text message means you would cover more than a football field of space – a lot can happen in that time.

Protective Gear

For motorcycle riders, you always want to make sure you gear up for every ride. Head-to-toe protection is essential.

Essential gear for every ride:

• Helmet: Full-face helmets offer the best protection, check for the Department of Transportation sticker (it means it will meet federal safety standards).
• Mesh jacket: Really great for letting air pass through, but it’s abrasion-resistant material with armor to protect you.
• Full-finger gloves.
• Riding pants.
• Over-the-ankle boots.

Training Matters

Before you go out there and ride, make sure if this is your first time you’re new to riding, go take a class. Formal training is invaluable.

Training options for all skill levels:

• New riders: Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course (no experience required).
• Experienced riders: Take a refresher course or advanced class to sharpen your skills and brush up on their skills before you need to use them.

Andria's note: Pre-ride preparation is just as important as training. Before you go out and ride, check over your bike. Make sure your air is fueled, you have enough air in your tires, your lights are working, your electronics are working and you have proper fluids because you want to find a problem at home before you're out there on the roads.

New Technologies

Modern motorcycle safety has come a long way with innovative protective equipment.

Advanced safety features now available:

• Advanced protective armor integrated into modern riding gear.
• Airbag jackets or vests that use high-tech sensors and algorithms – they can detect before a crash happens and deploy faster than a blink of an eye.
• High-tech abrasion-resistant materials in riding gear – you can actually slide and not go right through the fabric.

Conclusion

Motorcycle safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re a rider or a driver, taking the proper precautions can save lives.

As we discussed during my appearance on Dayton 24/7 Now, awareness and preparation are key to enjoying the freedom of the road safely.

For more information about motorcycle safety courses, gear recommendations, and additional safety resources, visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website at msf-usa.org.

Don’t wait until you’re on the road to think about safety – start preparing today and help make every ride a safe one.

Thanks to Nick Gray, Patron View, and his team for helping me build this site.